In 1978, the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act after a study showed that more than 1 in 4 Native American children were separated from their homes. Over multiple hearings, officials declared the issue a “crisis” that has damaged tribes through separating children from their cultures.
Since its passage, the ICWA has seen various additions to its guidelines and challenges to its existence in court cases across the U.S. Our team selected court cases and guidelines that have rose over time. Click through the interactive timeline to view some of the impactful decisions that define, redefine and endanger the ICWA today.
Can’t see the timeline? Click here to open in a new window.
Data compiled by Kailey Broussard and Amy Xioshi-DePaola.